Classic tussle ahead

CLOSE MARKING: YMP's Keasi Williams-Fonohema (right) disrupts the pass to Sandee Porter, of Whangara. YMP have a big game tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

THE match of the season so far could be in store when unbeaten High School Old Girls take on the ever-challenging YMP in premier grade netball at Victoria Domain tomorrow.

Taste One HSOG and YMP Sunshine Brewing meet at midday in the PAK'nSAVE senior competition.

“It will be the game of the day and it will be competitive,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“HSOG have been playing well as a team and showing good understanding of their structures through the court.”

The defending champions have not been beaten so far in the competition and sit at the top of the table.

“YMP have been playing well, too, but last week Whangara Old Girls stopped their flow and they suffered their first loss,” Beale said.

“I am sure they will have worked on this and will be back to their best.

“Both teams like to play speedy, attacking netball with tight marking on defence, so I am expecting a close contest between rivals who know each other's play very well.”

HSOG coach Tanya Owen said her team were prepared to face a YMP side they knew would come out firing tomorrow afternoon.

“They will be hurting after last weekend's loss to Whangara,” Owen said.

“We have identified their key players and have a game plan we hope will shut them down.

“We expect it will be a physical match and we just have to keep our composure.”

She was 100 percent confident her girls could maintain their good form.

YMP coach Ingrid Brown expects a tough game.

“I want to see more drive and urgency from our squad,” she said.

“I've heard HSOG have very good connections through court, and we will have to try to disrupt their flow.

“We will look to our leaders Paku-Jane Skudder, Bronya McMenamin and Ata Mangu to show the way.”

At 9am tomorrow, Claydens Waikohu (1) play Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A.

“Waikohu had a close contest against top-of-the-table HSOG last week and gave a good display of netball skills,” Beale said.

“Their confidence will be high and they will have targeted this game as one to win.

“Girls' High started last week's game well, but then faltered when Horouta Gold made changes and their experienced heads pressured them into errors.

“I am sure the students will have worked on this over the week, but they will need to bring their top game against the experience in Waikohu,” she said.

At 10am, Horouta Gold play Ritana Senior A.

“I am expecting this to be close,” Beale said.

“Both of these teams have struggled for a win this season.

“But Horouta were pleased with their draw last week and to record points on the table.

“They played controlled netball and pressured Girls' High into making errors, so I am expecting them to do the same in this game,” Beale said.

“The Lytton team have had some good passages of play in all of their games, and their losses to Whangara (by five goals) and Girls' High (by two) were close.

“However, they will need the whole team working together on attack and defence and sticking to their own game plan if they want to take this win.”

The season begins for Year 5 and 6 netballers tomorrow.

“We now have our full contingent of netballers playing in the 2020 competition,” Beale said.

“Years 1 to 4 have started playing on Thursday and Friday afternoons.

“The courts will be busy from 9am into the last round of games at 2pm tomorrow.”